Exploring Campsite Selection

What Your Group Will Learn

After participating in this activity plan, which is designed to help
participants learn about campsite selection, participants will be able to

Determine the best location for a campsite.

Apply Leave No Trace ideas to campsite selection decisions.

Your group will use a sketch of a heavily used alpine area and one of a pristine desert area to help them decide the best
location for setting up a campsite. The sketches will provide a focal point for
questions and discussions.

Materials and Preparation

Materials

A copy of the two
scenario activity sheets for each person (download the .PDF files.)

Small adhesive-backed colored dots to simulate tents (Each person should have
the same number of dots as the group would have tents, assuming one tent per two
people—10 campers, five dots.)

Preparation

Read the entire activity plan and
the Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace thoroughly.

Photocopy one
scenario activity sheet and drawing for each participant. The photocopies should
be one-sided to permit easy reference by the participants. Photocopying
drawings in two different colors makes referring to the scenarios even easier
(i.e., alpine backcountry—green; desert—buff).

Purchase dots.

Grabbing Your Group's Attention (5 minutes)

Distribute Scenario 1—Alpine Setting—Alpine
Backcountry, and Scenario 2—Desert Setting—Desert Backcountry. Have
participants compare the two drawings and share what they observe about the two
scenes. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? Explain
that they will use these two drawings to make decisions about how to choose the
best campsite in an area that has experienced heavy visitation and in an area
that has experienced little or no visitation.

Steps for Teaching the Activity (30 minutes)

Scenario 1: Alpine Setting

1. Distribute Scenario 1—Alpine Setting Activity Sheet.

2. Divide the group into teams of three or four. Tell them that
each group is part of a larger group on a trip to a primitive area. Before
starting the activity, each group should determine the size of the larger group,
keeping in mind that this wilderness area allows no more than 10 campers per
group.

3. Distribute the tents (dots) to each group. Assume two people will share
one tent: 10 backpackers 5 five tents (dots).

4. Review the directions for
scenario 1 and have participants complete the activity.

A close review of the
Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace is needed to effectively lead the
following discussion.

Where would you advise your group to camp? Most people
will choose an established campsite. Discussion should focus on choosing a site
that will protect the land and help prevent new impact to the area.

Why is
camping close to a lake or stream not an acceptable option? Discussion should
focus on protection of riparian zones, the fragile, green area along the bank of
the stream, on water contamination, and on scaring wildlife from approaching the
stream for a drink. Also, sound carries across open bodies of water.

Rearrange
the tents (dots) if the discussion causes participants to change their minds.
Have participants explain the reasons for their changes. Summarize key points
for heavily used areas.

Camp 200 feet or more from lakes, streams, meadows, and
trails.

Select campsites that are already well-established and properly located.

Confine most activities to the areas of the site that are already established.

Choose sites that comfortably fit your entire group without creating a new site.

Scenario 2: Desert Setting

A close review of the
Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace is needed to effectively lead the
following discussion.

What areas will your group select for a campsite? Most
people will choose the most durable surfaces, such as flat rocks or sandy areas
free of cryptobiotic soils. Discussion should focus on use of durable surfaces,
on dispersal of activities, and on alternative routes to and from locations.

Rearrange the tents (dots) if the discussion causes participants to change their
minds. Have participants explain the reasons for their changes. Summarize key
points for pristine areas.

Choose a nonvegetated, highly resistant surface for
tents and kitchens.

Choose durable routes of travel between parts of camp.

Avoid
cryptobiotic soils.

Limit your stay to no more than two nights.

Wrapping Up the
Activity (10 minutes)

Your campers have practiced how to select campsites that
will preserve the naturalness of the outdoors for wildlife and visitors. How
well have they learned their lesson?

Have participants imagine they are on a
backcountry trip and their leader has selected a campsite 50 feet from a stream.
Your group has learned about the criteria for proper campsite selection.

Given what they know:

How will the group communicate with their leader concerning this
problem?

How will group members prepare their tent sites? Will they remove
rocks, twigs, or leaves?

What steps can be taken to minimize the impact of
selecting and using a tent site?

Refer to the Background on the Principles of
Leave No Trace for answers.